Coming next week, reviews on Rouge Dior Lip Balms and Dior Vernis nail polishes!
University Cafe, Palo Alto
My friend and I are still pretty brand new to Northern California, so we usually get together once a week and go to new-to-us places and explore. Occasionally stopping for lunch, or a nice an easy walk in the park with a quenching iced coffee.
Yesterday while exploring Palo Alto, we stopped into University Cafe. Initially we were going look it up on Yelp to see if it received enough good reviews to pop in and have a bit of lunch.
But the place was hoppin’ with people during the lunch hour, so we decided for ourselves it must be good.
I ordered myself a coke, it came out with a mason jar full of ice. Kinda cute.
The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting, with the open concept layout. It was easy to get a table, indoors to get away from the heat of the day. We were lead towards the back of the restaurant near the open kitchen, as my friend required a high chair for her little boy.
Our server was really funny, and recommended a few things to us on the menu. I’m a sandwich girl through-and-through, and rarely venture out of that comfort zone, so I went with the University BLT. As for their price point, I would say it’s moderately priced, considering it’s in the heart of the downtown Palo Alto, and the beautiful Stanford University campus. As you can see from the lunch menu we were given, the prices range anywhere from $8-$15 for their food.
Once our food came out, I tasted the soup immediately. I love a good hearty tomato soup and this one was excellent. My friend had the same soup, but ordered a Fresh Lump Crap Burger — a crab burger! Something I would have never thought was even a thing. She said it was incredibly filling and so delicious. My sandwich on the other hand, was absolutely massive. I was eager to dig in since I didn’t grab breakfast yesterday. Unfortunately the sandwich was one of my least favourite sandwiches I’ve ever consumed. All the ingredients separately were terrific, but the bread — oh man, the bread was not exciting at all. It’s not that it was stale, it was paper thin, fell apart and crumbled easily and was fluffy all at the same time. Does that make sense?
It made such a mess, and I’m glad I had my napkin in my lap because it went everywhere. The dijon aioli sauce on the sandwich must’ve been made with a dab of horse radish, because it was spicy, tangy and weird. Not the best choice. I don’t mean to complain, simply stating how it is.
I’d go to University Cafe again in a heart beat, due to their service and give the menu another go. My soup was to die for, and the place was pretty happenin’ so I know people enjoy the food there. I know for next time, I won’t order their BLT. ;)
University Cafe
271 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
94301
Do you have a go-to menu item when you’re out?
For the locals reading, have you been to University Cafe?
Diorskin Star Foundation & Concealer
Diorskin Star Foundation and Concealer, a new launch as of September 14 states itself as a technology breakthrough with a new approach light reflective makeup. This is the first time Dior has infused their foundation with a two-dimensional light. Warm toned pigments in the Star foundation and concealer gives a healthy finish to the skin.
Easy to wear, blend and apply — Star is another great product put out by Dior.
Star foundation is weightless and glides easily over your skin. It has a flattering and brightening effect that I like, not to be mistaken with it being dewy as I find it a little more matte than I’m used to wearing. I received this Dior care package in late August while I was home in Newfoundland, so I’ve had a number of weeks to test it out and wear it. To truly show you how it looks, here is a before/after:
You can see from the photos above it gives a soft matte finish to the skin. I didn’t apply any bronzer, mascara or blush so you can truly get a feel as to how the foundation and concealer looks on it’s own. For a closer look, see below for a before/after with the Diorskin Star concealer.
Many people complain about Dior foundations oxidizing (not so much an orange colour, but more warmth), and while I luckily haven’t had it happen to me, the Diorskin Star doesn’t oxidize on my skin nor does the Dior Hydra Life BB cream.
It gives fantastic coverage in a featherweight formula which is easily buildable. I like to stick to one “coat” of foundation. My preferred method on applying this foundation is with BeautyBlender. Dior has one that came out with specifically for this collection, but I already have my own I decided to use that. I’ve used my real techniques foundation brush with it, and it works — it doesn’t look as nice as it could with a sponge.
While the finish isn’t my go-to dewy look, I can see many people enjoying it. I like it on my skin, it gives off a flawless look without trying too hard, yet you can still see your skin easily, underneath. It’s not heavy or cakey, but more radiant and fresh. Add to the fact Dior Star foundation has SPF 30 mixed in with it, you’re set.
Diorskin Star concealer is perfectly packaged with a sponge tip applicator to get the perfect amount on your under eye area. It too, has an illuminating effect and again, promises that those darker under eye circles will be neutralized instantaneously. Dior claims that if you use these products on the regular, you’ll notice signs of darkness, redness and discolouration to fade away.
I prefer applying the under eye concealer after I’ve hydrated it with one of my two favourite eye creams then blend in with my ring finger to disperse evenly. A trick I have is to apply your concealer not only under your eyes, but bring it down on your cheek, closest to your nose, in a triangle shape so it brightens your face even more than before.
Diorskin Star foundation comes in a wide range with 14 different shades and retails for $50 CDN. Diorskin Star concealer is $36 CDN and is available in 5 shades. Both Diorskin Star concealer and foundation are available now at Dior counters nationwide.
Have you tried this foundation yet? What are your thoughts?
What foundation do you currently use?
Disclaimer, I received all Dior products from the PR company for review, all opinions are my own.